SARATOGA SPRINGS – The spotlight falls on Kentucky Oaks winner Flute today in the Grade 1, $750,000 Alabama Stakes, but the daughter of Seattle Slew will hardly be playing a solo in the Old Spa’s premier event for 3-year-old fillies.
Six other talented runners have lined up against her, including Canadian superstar Dancethruthedawn, a daughter of Mr. Prospector out of champion filly Dance Smartly, who won the Canadian triple crown and Breeders’ Cup Distaff in 1991.
The last time Dancethruthedawn faced Flute, in the May 4 Kentucky Oaks, she was beaten 12 3/4 lengths. But since then she won the Woodbine Oaks, the Queen’s Plate – Canada’s version of the Kentucky Derby – and was second, beaten a half-length, in the Prince of Wales, the second leg of the Canadian triple crown.
Dancethruthedawn will be ridden for the first time by Pat Day, who rode her mother to many important victories.
“It feels great,” Day said. “There’s a connection with the family, I’ve had a lot of success over the years with Sam-Son Farms (owner-breeder of Dancethruthedawn), and I’m looking forward to being reunited.”
Flute has never run farther than a mile and an eighth, but Dancethruthedawn beat colts in the Queen’s Plate going the Alabama distance of a mile and a quarter.
“That certainly can’t hurt her chances,” Day said. “And Saratoga is ‘the graveyard of favorites.’ “
Other potential upsetters are Real Cozy, second in the Kentucky Oaks, third in the Acorn and second in the Mother Goose; and Tweedside, winner of the Coaching Club American Oaks.
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Hap, unbeaten in three starts this year, all grass stakes at a mile and an eighth, stretches out to a mile and a quarter today in the Arlington Million on turf at Arlington Park. He breaks from post 1 under Jerry Bailey in an international field of 12.